Blaine Historical Society looking for more members

With the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Blaine coming up in December 2014, the Blaine Historical Society has begun planning a book that will highlight important stories in Blaine’s history.

Although there are a few dedicated people planning for this, Blaine Historical Society President Orville Lindquist would love to see more volunteers involved.

“We don’t have the resources because there are so many stories,” Lindquist told the Blaine City Council during a Nov. 15 workshop meeting.

The group recently did a huge research project on Northtown Mall, which recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the mall opening.

Society members have also done a lot of legwork in finding the stories of Blaine way before it became a city and many of tales of historical significance such as the creation of the Anoka County-Blaine Airport (Janes Field).

They have also done research projects on James G. Blaine, who the city is named after, an inventor, farmer, legislator and businessman named James T. Elwell, Greenbery Chambers and Radisson Farm.

These stories can be found at www.blainehistory.org.

“For a small group, they do a lot,” said Councilmember Wes Hovland, one of the members of the Blaine Historical Society.

The society meets six times a year, on the second Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December. All meetings start at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary Room on the second floor of Blaine City Hall, 10801 Town Square Drive.

To find out more information about the society, contact Lindquist at [email protected].